If you're budgeting for bulk SMS in Kenya, the first price most people look up is Safaricom's. Safaricom sells bulk SMS bundles to businesses directly, but its tariff has a large minimum purchase, an expiry date and covers only Safaricom numbers. This guide sets out Safaricom bulk SMS pricing in 2026, what it really costs at different volumes, and when buying Safaricom SMS through a provider works out cheaper.
Short answer: Safaricom's direct bulk SMS tariff starts at KES 1.06 per SMS for 25,000–124,999 messages and falls to KES 0.11 above 10 million, VAT inclusive and valid for 60 days. The smallest bundle costs about KES 26,500. Through Brilio, Safaricom SMS costs KES 0.70 to KES 0.40 per SMS with no minimum bundle. Below a few million messages a month, a provider is usually cheaper.
Safaricom bulk SMS tariff (2026)
According to Safaricom's published bulk SMS tariff guide, at the time of writing bundles are priced like this (VAT inclusive, valid for 60 days):
| Bundle size (SMS) | Price per SMS | Cost of the smallest bundle in the tier |
|---|---|---|
| 25,000 – 124,999 | KES 1.06 | KES 26,500 |
| 125,000 – 524,999 | KES 0.85 | KES 106,250 |
| 525,000 – 1,024,999 | KES 0.64 | KES 336,000 |
| 1,025,000 – 5,024,999 | KES 0.42 | KES 430,500 |
| 5,025,000 – 10,024,999 | KES 0.21 | KES 1,055,250 |
| Above 10,025,000 | KES 0.11 | KES 1,102,750 |
Three things to know before you buy:
- There is a minimum. The smallest bundle is 25,000 SMS, about KES 26,500, even if you only send 5,000 messages.
- Bundles expire after 60 days. SMS you haven't sent by then are lost.
- It covers Safaricom only. Airtel and other networks need separate arrangements, and you integrate and register Sender IDs yourself.
Safaricom SMS through Brilio
Through Brilio you send to Safaricom (and Airtel) from one account, topping up with M-Pesa. Your price per SMS depends on the size of your top-up:
| Network | Starter (up to KES 19,999) | Growth (KES 20,000 – 99,999) | Business (KES 100,000 – 399,999) | Enterprise (KES 400,000+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | KES 0.70 | KES 0.60 | KES 0.50 | KES 0.40 |
| Airtel | KES 0.80 | KES 0.80 | KES 0.70 | KES 0.60 |
There is no minimum bundle and no monthly fee for sending. A Sender ID costs KES 7,000 per network, once. Current rates are always on our pricing page.
Direct vs provider: what you actually pay
Here is the cost of sending to Safaricom numbers at different monthly volumes:
| Safaricom SMS a month | Safaricom direct | Through Brilio | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | KES 26,500 (must buy 25,000) | KES 7,000 (× 0.70) | Brilio |
| 50,000 | KES 53,000 (× 1.06) | KES 30,000 (× 0.60) | Brilio |
| 200,000 | KES 170,000 (× 0.85) | KES 100,000 (× 0.50) | Brilio |
| 1,000,000 | KES 640,000 (× 0.64) | KES 400,000 (× 0.40) | Brilio |
| 5,000,000 | KES 2,100,000 (× 0.42) | KES 2,000,000 (× 0.40) | About the same |
| 10,000,000+ | from KES 0.11 per SMS | — | Safaricom direct |
The honest answer: at very high volumes, millions of messages a month to Safaricom alone, buying directly from Safaricom can be cheapest, if you also have the team to integrate and manage it. For schools, SACCOs, shops, NGOs, fintechs and most corporates, a provider costs less per SMS and covers every network from one account.
What the Safaricom price doesn't include
When you compare, add up everything you need, not just the price per SMS:
- Airtel and other networks. Part of almost every Kenyan contact list is on Airtel or Telkom, and those customers miss out on a Safaricom-only bundle.
- Sender ID registration on each network.
- A sending platform: a portal to upload contacts, schedule campaigns and read delivery reports, or an SMS API your developers integrate.
- Unused SMS. With 60-day expiry, a bundle bigger than you need costs more than it looks.
How to send Safaricom bulk SMS through Brilio
- Create a free account in the bulk SMS portal.
- Top up with M-Pesa; your top-up decides your price tier.
- Register your Sender ID on Safaricom (and Airtel). See how Sender ID registration works.
- Upload your contacts or connect the API, then send and track delivery for every number.
Related guides: Bulk SMS prices in Kenya · How to choose a bulk SMS provider · Bulk SMS for schools
Frequently asked questions
How much is Safaricom bulk SMS per message?
Safaricom's direct tariff ranges from KES 1.06 per SMS for 25,000–124,999 messages down to KES 0.11 above 10 million, VAT inclusive. Through Brilio, Safaricom SMS costs KES 0.70 to KES 0.40 per SMS depending on your top-up.
What is the minimum Safaricom bulk SMS bundle?
The smallest bundle on Safaricom's direct tariff is 25,000 SMS, which costs about KES 26,500 at KES 1.06 per SMS. Through a provider there is no minimum bundle.
How long do Safaricom bulk SMS bundles last?
Safaricom's direct bundles are valid for 60 days, so unused SMS expire. Plan your bundle size around what you actually send.
Is it cheaper to buy bulk SMS directly from Safaricom?
Only at very high volumes, typically several million messages a month to Safaricom numbers alone. Below that, a provider is usually cheaper per SMS and covers Airtel and the other networks too.
Do I need a Sender ID for Safaricom bulk SMS?
Yes, to send from your business name instead of a number. A Sender ID is registered separately on each network; at Brilio it costs KES 7,000 per network, once.
Ready to send to Safaricom and every other network from one account? Start with bulk SMS in Kenya or create a free account.
